iOS 17: Everything New With Siri and Spotlight

In iOS 17, Apple added a handful of new improvements to on-device personal assistant Siri and the Spotlight search feature. There aren't any major changes, but Spotlight search has improved, and for ‌Siri‌, it's easier than ever to use.

iOS 17 Siri Feature
This guide highlights all of the ‌Siri‌ and Spotlight features and changes in ‌iOS 17‌.

No More Hey Siri

You can just say "‌Siri‌" to activate ‌Siri‌, dropping the "Hey" that's been used as a wake word for years. ‌Siri‌ will activate when you say the ‌Siri‌ word, so you can speak more naturally.

Hey Siri vs Siri
"‌Siri‌, can you tell me what time it is?" is a phrase that ‌Siri‌ recognizes, for example.

Back-to-Back Requests

‌Siri‌ is able to recognize and respond to multiple back-to-back requests without needing to be reactivated.

You can, for example, ask ‌Siri‌ to tell you the time, and then follow that up with a request to text your friend that you're going to be late all in the same ‌Siri‌ request.

Web Articles

In Safari, there's a new ‌Siri‌ feature that allows the personal assistant to read a web article to you. As long as a site has Reader View available, you can say "‌Siri‌, read this to me" to have ‌Siri‌ read the content on the page.

siri

There are playback tools, so you can fast forward, pause, resume, and rewind from the Lock Screen.

Siri Messaging

When you ask ‌Siri‌ to send a message, you can now tap to select which app you want to send it from. This allows you to send messages not just from Apple's built-in Messages app, but also third-party apps like Telegram and WhatsApp.

siri messaging ios 17
The feature is compatible with any third-party app that has "Use with Ask ‌Siri‌" enabled in the Settings app.

Siri and StandBy

‌Siri‌ can be activated in StandBy mode, the new option for turning a charging iPhone into a home hub. When you ask ‌Siri‌ a question, there's a new full-screen UI that will show the results in landscape mode.

standby siri
If you ask about the weather, for example, you'll see the current temperature and icons that denote the weather conditions.

Siri UK Voices

There are two new "British" ‌Siri‌ voices available in ‌iOS 17‌, making a total of four.

Siri in India

‌iOS 17‌ supports bilingual ‌Siri‌ queries that mix English with Hindi, Telegu, Punjabi, Kannada, or Marathi.

Search results have been improved with new colors and app icons to make it easier to see what's what. If you search for cats, for example, and one of the results is an option to tap into Safari for a web search, you'll see a Safari icon instead of the prior magnifying glass icon.

ios 17 spotlight search

App Shortcuts

When searching for an app, Spotlight now offers App Shortcuts in the top hits section. If you search for Photos and often go to the Favorites album, Spotlight will show you a link to get directly to the Favorites album from the search interface.

photos app shortcuts

Read More

Additional details on the new features in the ‌iOS 17‌ update can be found in our iOS 17 roundup.

Top Rated Comments

TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
20 weeks ago
For some reason I don't find myself using Siri anymore. Sometimes I forget it's even there.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macguru212 Avatar
20 weeks ago
Well, I use Siri daily, and if not many times a day. I only wish I could change the name to "Hey, Stupid!"
;)
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ShivneelSingh Avatar
20 weeks ago
Back-to-back requests, new UK voices, and no more "Hey Siri." Cannot wait for the update!
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fatTribble Avatar
20 weeks ago
Can we give Siri the computer voice from Star Trek performed by Majel Barrett?
Pleassse?
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NightFox Avatar
20 weeks ago

Well, I use Siri daily, and if not many times a day. I only wish I could change the name to "Hey, Stupid!"
;)
"Hey, Silly" always works for me
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
eicca Avatar
20 weeks ago
Can’t wait for the accidental Siri trigger rate to skyrocket. Good job Apple, not thinking things through yet again.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 15 General Feature Black

New iOS Features Coming in 2024 for Messages, Apple Music, and More

Thursday December 28, 2023 7:30 am PST by
2024 is just a few days away, and there are many iOS 17 and iOS 18 features that are expected to launch throughout the year. Below, we have recapped new iOS features expected in 2024, including Stolen Device Protection, collaborative Apple Music playlists, AirPlay on hotel room TVs, app sideloading in the EU, next-generation CarPlay, roadside assistance via satellite outside of the U.S., RCS ...
iOS 17

iOS 17.3 Will Add These Two Useful Features to Your iPhone

Sunday December 24, 2023 8:59 am PST by
Apple released the first beta of iOS 17.3 earlier this month, and the upcoming software update includes two new features so far. iOS 17.3 will likely be released in January like iOS 16.3 and iOS 15.3 were, but February is also a possibility if testing is prolonged. Below, we provide additional details about the new features in iOS 17.3 so far. Stolen Device Protection Earlier this...
iPhone 17 Five Features Header

iPhone 17: Five Features Apple Plans to Save for 2025

Thursday December 28, 2023 2:00 am PST by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models concurrently, which is why we sometimes get rumored feature leaks so far ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and already we have some idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup. If you plan to skip...
Mac Gaming

Apple Discusses Push Towards High-End Mac Gaming in New Interview

Thursday December 28, 2023 6:19 am PST by
Inverse's Raymond Wong today published an in-depth overview of Apple's increasing push towards high-end gaming on the Mac. The story includes commentary from Apple marketing managers Gordon Keppel and Leland Martin. One of the biggest reasons that gaming has improved on the Mac in recent years is the switch from Intel processors to Apple silicon, resulting in MacBooks providing...
Apple Watch Series 9

Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 Available in Apple Stores Starting Today, Online Sales to Resume Tomorrow

Wednesday December 27, 2023 2:28 pm PST by
Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 are back in some of Apple's retail stores in the United States today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Select stores will have availability today, while all stores will have the Apple Watch models back in stock by December 30. Online sales of the devices are set to resume tomorrow by 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Apple is able to begin selling ...
iPhone 15 Blue Three Quarters Perspective Camera Closeup Feature

6 Essential iPhone Camera Tips for Taking Great Photos

Tuesday December 26, 2023 3:00 am PST by
Apple's iPhones include several headline camera features that are worth using, such as Portrait Mode and Photographic Styles. But if all you want to use is the standard photo mode, there are still several tools and settings that can improve the composition of your pictures and help you capture the perfect shot using more traditional techniques. Whether you are the owner of a new iPhone or a...
Apple Watch Series 9

Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 Sales Ban Paused by US Appeals Court

Wednesday December 27, 2023 8:49 am PST by
The ban on imports of Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 models has today been temporarily paused, meaning that the devices can now go back on sale for a short while longer in the United States. Apple filed an emergency request to the United States Court of Appeals following President Biden's decision to decline a veto on the sales ban, allowing it to take effect earlier this week. ...